Welcome CSR lovers, lurkers and newcomers to the CSR FAQ thread! If you see any errors or have any suggestions, please send me a PM and I will try to include them. Any and all pictures of the CSR are welcome! Thanks for your support.

El Centro: As you arrive at Coronado Springs your first stop will be El Centro, the main building that contains registration, guest services, Panchitos gift shop, Café Rix, Rix Lounge, the Pepper Market and the Maya Grill. This building also connects to the Convention Center.

The most striking feature of El Centro is the fountain and frescoed domed ceiling in the main lobby. The registration area also features impressive high ceilings with exposed beams. Guest services can assist you with booking dining reservations (though we all know that most should be made 180 days in advance!) and theme park passes. Beside guest services is a DVC information booth.

Registration:

Waiting area:

Children's area:

Ceiling:

Fountain in lobby:

Panchitos: The gift shop at Coronado Springs is called Panchitos, and it is located in El Centro. It features a sampling of WDW merchandise, some beautiful Mexican pottery and jewelry, and a small grocery section, including personal items, non-prescription drugs, batteries, etc.

All rooms are now non-smoking.
There are 224 king bed rooms.
99 disabled accessible rooms.
31 junior suites (1 accessible for the disabled)
10 VIP suites (one bedroom suites)
5 Executive Suites
Preferred rooms are located in Casitas 1, 2 and 3 (all near El Centro--registration, food, lounge and gift shop).
Beginning January 2013, business class rooms may be booked at CSR:
Coconino Cove the new Business Lounge at Disney Coronado Springs Resort will provide a variety of exclusive amenities and upgraded services to our Guests.

Located in the Cabanas, building 9B, Coconino Cove is a semi-exclusive gathering place for networking, relaxing, working or playing.
Guests with Coconino Cove access will enjoy upgraded, semi-exclusive services and amenities, including:
Use of in-lounge iMac and PC stations, computer gaming consoles and flat screen televisions
Electronic device charging stations & boarding pass printing
Areas suitable for small groups to gather and meet in a relaxed setting
Assistance with dining reservations, ticket information and other special requests
Food & beverage offerings throughout the day
Conveniently, all Guests with Coconino Cove access will be located in building 9B during their stay. Guest rooms will be close together near the lobby and convention center.

All rooms come with the following: either two queen beds or one king-size bed, flat screen television, high-speed internet access, telephone with separate data port, work desk and chair, two ottomans, vanity area with wood sliding door, refrigerator, coffee maker, in-room safe, ceiling fan, hair dryer, iron and ironing board. King rooms are a separate booking category they are not by request. King rooms are located throughout the resort.

Waterview rooms are also a separate booking category. Waterview rooms may face the lake, quiet pools, or the fountains. There are no rooms with a view of the Dig Site pool.

Fridge:

The coffee pot is now a Cuisinart pod coffee machine (photo courtesy of Merlin123):

Open safe (it comes with a key):

The CSR has Central Air (not wall units). To adjust the temperature, follow these instructions: On the thermostat, push the power button and the down arrow (button that adjusts the temp) at the exact same time. If you do this correctly, you will see the letters "bp" where the temp normally shows. You are now bypassing the sensors in the room. You can then set the temp to whatever you want and it keeps the room that cold whether you are in it or not. You might have to do this once a day as the thermostat tends to go back to sensor mode after 24 hours.

A few pictures of the rooms as rehabbed in 2008/2009:

Suites: CSR has 3 types of suites and they are costly. There are 31 Jr suites, 10 VIP suites and 6 executive suites. All the suites are located in the casitas with the exception of 2 jr suites located in the cabanas, one in 8b and one in 9b. A Jr suite is two rooms together, the VIP is 3 regular rooms together, and the executive is 5 rooms together.

* The resort has 31 junior suites, which are basically two connecting standard rooms. The bedroom includes either one king bed or two queen beds and the second room is set up as a living room with a sleeper sofa. There are two bathrooms. The occupancy of a junior suite is six people for the queen junior suites and four people for the king junior suites. The junior suites cost more than 2 standard rooms.

* There are also 10 "VIP" one-bedroom suites. These are equivalent in space to 3 standard rooms knocked together. There is a standard bedroom with one king bed or two queen beds, plus a full bath. The living room is equivalent in size to two standard rooms and includes two seating areas, a wet bar with small refrigerator, a full bathroom and a dining table for four people. The living room has a sleeper sofa, bringing the occupancy to 4 or 6 people. The VIP suites are set up primarily for entertaining and are generally used by senior managers staying at the resort for conventions. VIP suites are priced at more than 4 times the cost of a standard room.

* Finally, there are 5 "Executive" two-bedroom suites. These are equivalent in space to 5 standard rooms knocked together. The first bedroom has a king bed plus a full bath with whirlpool tub. The second bedroom has two queen beds plus a full bath. The large living room offers two seating areas, a half-bath, a free-standing wet bar with small refrigerator and a dining table for six people. The living room includes a sleeper sofa, bringing the occupancy to 8 people. The Executive suites are set up primarily for entertaining and are generally used by executives staying at the resort for conventions. Executive suites are priced at more than 6 times the cost of a standard room.

Junior Suite pictures:

SUITE PHOTOS COURTESEY OF tinkerbelle_325

The rooms are located in three different themed areas of the Coronado. You can request a specific area when booking but there is no guarantee you'll get your request. Preferred buildings are casitas 1, 2 and 3. Business class rooms are located in Cabana 9B.

The Spanish-style Casitas at Coronado Springs are very peaceful, with courtyards featuring tiled fountains. Casitas Buildings 1, 3 and 2 (in that order) are the closest to the restaurants and services. Casita 2 does not have an elevator, but it can be accessed from the casita 1 elevator or the casita 3 elevator. Casitas Building 4 contains the salon and health club. Casitas Building 5 is closest to the Ranchos and the Dig Site.

The Cabanas at Coronado Springs have a relaxed beach feeling. Cabanas Building 8A & 8B are very close to the feature pool. Cabanas Building 9B is closest to the marina and relatively convenient to the restaurants and services. Cabanas Building 9A is closest to the cabanas quiet pool.

The Ranchos at Coronado Springs feel quiet and secluded -- some would say isolated -- and feature desert landscaping and pueblo-style architecture. They look closest to the main pool on a map, but in actuality they are separated from the rest of the property by a swamp, so it can be a fairly long walk from these buildings to the pool, and a very long walk to the restaurants (10-15 minutes, depending on pace).

There is laundry service in each section. Washers are $2.00 as are the dryers (the dryers go for 30 minutes).

Cabanas 9B is now Business Class. This is a separate booking category, and guests have access to the lounge in 9B.

For conventioneers the Casitas 1 or 3 are good locations. However, they are a longer walk to the Dig Site Pool. Both casita 1 and casita 3 are preferred buildings.

For adult couples, especially honeymooners or those celebrating anniversaries, Casitas 4 or 5 with a water view is a perfect location. Casita 4 has the quiet pool, fitness center, spa, salon, and both are near bus stop #2.

For leisure guests with children, here are some great locations: Cabana 8a, Rancho 7b, Cabana 8b, 9a, Rancho 6b, and 6a...in that order. Nearness to El Centro is usually of no importance to many guests. It's much more important to be close to the park bus stops and the Dig Site. Leisure guests may come to El Centro once or twice; but they will be at the buses twice a day (at least) and the pool often when they are at the resort.

For adults or large families who wish to be close to a park bus stop and to a quieter pool but are not interested in the theme pool, building 7a is great and has close proximity to parking.

Casita 2 also is close to parking and usually one of the quietest buildings, especially the 4th floor. The fourth floor of building actually includes part of the upper floors of building 3 and has easy access to the convention center by way of the elevator courtyard of building 1. Casita 2 is a preferred building and does not have its own elevator.

Cabana 9b is close to bus stop 1 and the main building with a short walk to the Dig Site (main pool) over the wooden bridge.

Cabana 8a is close to the Dig Site (and playground) and bus stop 4 with a short walk to the main building (closest to the pool).

Cabana 8b and 9a are in between the 2 above (9a has a quiet pool).

Ranchos 7b has a quiet pool, is close to the Dig Site and bus stop 4 with a bit longer walk to the main building. 7b is behind cabana 8a.

Casita 1 is attached to the main building and is very close to the restaurants (preferred building).

Casita 3 has great courtyard and fountain views (preferred building).

Casita 5 has some nice fountain and lake views and is close to the Dig Site but farther from the main building. Close to bus stop #2.

SHIPPING TO RESORT:

I have never shipped anything to CSR, but this is what has been reported:

If you send a package down ahead of your arrival via Fed EX or UPS, it will end up at the Business Center and will incur a charge.

If you send it via USPS, it will end up at CSR Operations behind the check in desk.

My guess is that you should check with whomever you are using (Costco, Wal-Mart, etc.) to see which shipper they use so you know if you'll have an additional charge at the CSR end.

BUSES:

CSR has 4 conveniently located bus stops, one in each of the villages and one at the main building. None of the buildings is far from a bus stop.

The ranchos are the furthest from the main building (about a 10-15 minute walk). Theme park buses stop last at the main building, so Ranchos guests can get on any theme park bus and exit at the main building. DTD buses stop at El Centro first, so this tactic does not work with DTD buses.

The CSR is situated around a 15 acre lake. At night, it's a beautiful place for a romantic walk around the Lago Dorado over the lighted bridge to relax in a hammock on the white sandy beach of the Cabanas section or among the courtyards in the Casitas section of the resort.

I have listed anything I have been able to verify online. These meetings vary in size - some are local, while others are regional or national. If a convention falls during your dates, you might want to Google the name I have listed to find out more information. In some cases, CSR is the host hotel, but activities occur elsewhere.

2013

January 6-9, Generac Dealer Conference
January 8-9, Pinch a Penny Show
January 16-19, Children's Pastors Conference
January 26-27, Florida HOSA SLC 2013 Competitive Event and State Officers Meetings
January 30-31, Leading Age Florida Board of Trustees Meeting

February 4-6, ACPA Professional Development
February 7-9, NABE Conference
February 9-14, SPIE Medical Imaging
February 14-17, Otterbein University Cardinal Migration
February 18-20, Training Magazine 2013 Conference and Expo
February 20-23, World Family Therapy Congress
February 22-23, Disneys Fit For a Princess Expo
February 27-28, Trinovus Compliance Knowledgeshare

MAYA GRILL: A table service restaurant with a wine menu, dinner offerings which include steaks, seafood and chicken with choices of signature desserts. Hours of operation are: Dinner -- 5-11 p.m.
Maya Grills menus can be found here on the DIS (updated November 2013):

PEPPER MARKET: A color-filled food market. There are 420-seats in the Pepper Market Food Court. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are a la carte. You select your meals by choosing from one of the many stations and ordering your food with the chef. Your ticket will be stamped for each item you get (each guest receives their own card). At the end of the meal, you present your ticket(s) to a CM and pay as you leave.

CSR Room Service: The CSR is the only moderate to offer a full dining menu for room service. Breakfast is served from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and all day dining is available from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
All Ears lists this menu for CSR In Room Dining (August 2010):

CSRs newest addition to adult relaxation, The Rix Lounge, is an upscale lounge offering specialty drinks, appetizers and a DJ on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 9:00 p.m. The Rix is open Tuesdays- Saturdays, from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. After 9:00 p.m., no children are allowed. No sneakers or tank tops are allowed. Here is a link to the Rix for up to date information: http://rix-lounge.com/

Next is Siestas. The pool bar is located at the Dig Site and offers standard fast food, including hot dogs, burgers, salads, nachos, etc. Siestas orders an array of tropical drinks and beer. You can also refill your refillable mugs here. Hours of operation are: the Bar 11 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the food section is open from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Be sure to say hi to Francisco he is the BEST!

Last is the Laguna Bar. The Laguna Bar is lakeside at the CSR with tropical drinks, beer, etc. You can also order food at The Laguna Bar.

The CSR has one of the best pools of all of Disney resorts. The entire complex is known as The Dig Site and the pool itself is the Lost City of Cibola. With a 123-foot Jaguar slide and a Mayan Temple, the pool is a crowd pleaser. Near the Dig Site is an arcade, a sand volleyball court and a large playground.

Kids participate in the pool opening water ceremony each morning at the pool. They chant to bring the water gods to life. Its a cute little activity they do with the kids along with other water games that they play during the day. Guests are only allowed to climb as high as the first set of large vines crossing the pyramid.

In the evenings, CSR has a poolside campfire and shows movies (times vary due to time of year  you should receive a schedule at check-in).

Awesome!! Thanks for the great work maintaining the best thread on DIS boards!!

If someone who is going soon has time we need some new pics of the fitness center. Its all new equipment as of about 1 1/2 years ago. Every piece of equipment in those pics has actually been replaced with brand new better stuff.

Awesome!! Thanks for the great work maintaining the best thread on DIS boards!!

If someone who is going soon has time we need some new pics of the fitness center. Its all new equipment as of about 1 1/2 years ago. Every piece of equipment in those pics has actually been replaced with brand new better stuff.

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I'm not going until feb but I'm wondering if they still have ellipticals?

I'm not going until feb but I'm wondering if they still have ellipticals?

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I don't think we took any pics of the Fitness center, but I used it about 1/2 dozen times the 14 nights we were there last time. From memory, there was 5 brand new tread mills, 2 brand new top of the line bikes, 2 new Ellipticals or stair climbers (don't remember which, I used the tread mills), Brand new smith rack with free weights, couple of free weight bars, new rack of dumb bells up to 50 lbs, couple of benches, and about 10 brand new machines. Actually a pretty good little set-up for a hotel. There is a large change room, sauna, and I think tanning bed. The Casitas quiet pool is right out the door and is set-up for swimming laps if you are into that. The fitness center definately gives it the Deluxe resort feel.

I would appreciate any input from those of you who have stayed before at CSR. I'm going to call WDW and put in a request for a particular area - I know there is no guarantee that my request will be honored.

I've read several different opinions about which area is best and the only real consensus seems to be that people don't care much for Ranchos. I would like to be reasonably close to El Centro because my youngest dd wakes up early and usually wants something to eat. She and I will usually go grab drinks/snacks and take back to DH and our oldest dd. Weather permitting, we will swim a couple of times but probably not every day. And, convenient bus service (not having to always stand because we are the last tone picked up) would be a bonus.

I really like the look of the casitas area best but when I look at the map, I think Cabanas might be better because it's close to El Centro but not too far from the main pool.